Arjun Yadav
Americans can travel to Cuba, but there are several restrictions in place. Firstly, US citizens cannot travel to Cuba for touristic purposes. This includes lounging on beaches and drinking mojitos all day. Instead, travel to Cuba must be for one of twelve specific purposes, including support for the Cuban people, journalistic activity, humanitarian projects, and educational activities. Travel must also be hosted by a US-based tour company and escorted by a guide. Additionally, US travellers must spend their money at private businesses rather than government-owned companies. US credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba, so travellers are advised to bring cash, preferably US dollars. Finally, there are security concerns in Cuba, including an increased risk of crime and a risk of detention for activities that would not be considered criminal in the US.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can Americans travel to Cuba? | Yes, but not for "tourism". |
| What are the permitted reasons for travel? | Official business of the US government, journalism, professional research, educational activities, religious activities, public performances, support for the Cuban people, humanitarian projects, activities of private foundations, exportation/importation of information, travel related to certain authorised export transactions, family visits, etc. |
| What are the requirements for travel? | A valid passport, a visa, a travel card, health insurance, and compliance with US Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) regulations. |
| What are the restrictions on spending? | US travellers must spend their dollars supporting private businesses, not government-owned companies. |
| What are the payment options in Cuba? | US credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba. Cash (USD or Euros) is recommended. |
What You'll Learn
- US citizens can travel to Cuba for one of 12 specific purposes
- US citizens must declare they are visiting Cuba for valid reasons
- US citizens must spend their money supporting private businesses in Cuba
- US citizens must comply with US sanctions on Cuba
- US citizens must have a valid passport and visa to enter Cuba
US citizens can travel to Cuba for one of 12 specific purposes
US citizens are permitted to travel to Cuba, but not for tourism. There are 12 (or 13, according to some sources) specific reasons that US citizens are allowed to travel to Cuba. These are:
- Official business of the US government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations
- Journalistic activities
- Professional research or professional meetings
- Educational academic activities
- People-to-people exchanges (for travel-related transactions purchased before June 5, 2019)
- Religious activities
- Public performance, clinics, workshops, athletic or other competitions and exhibitions
- Support for the Cuban people
- Humanitarian projects
- Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
- Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials
- Travel related to certain authorized export transactions
If you are not travelling for one of these 12 reasons, there are two other ways to enter Cuba as a US citizen. The first is to obtain a license from the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The second is to be a Cuban national returning home.
It is important to note that US citizens must still comply with US sanctions on Cuba, regardless of their reasons for travelling there.
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US citizens must declare they are visiting Cuba for valid reasons
US citizens are permitted to travel to Cuba, but only for specific reasons. Flying to Cuba from or through the US for tourism is not allowed. There are 12 or 13 permitted reasons for travel, depending on the source. These include:
- Official business of the US government, foreign governments, and certain intergovernmental organizations
- Journalistic activities
- Professional research or professional meetings
- Educational academic activities
- People-to-people exchanges (for travel-related transactions purchased prior to June 5, 2019)
- Religious activities
- Public performances, clinics, workshops, athletic or other competitions and exhibitions
- Support for the Cuban people
- Humanitarian projects
- Activities of private foundations or research or educational institutes
- Exportation, importation, or transmission of information or informational materials
- Travel related to certain authorized export transactions
If you are not travelling for one of the 12 or 13 reasons, there are two other ways to enter Cuba: with a license issued by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or as a Cuban national returning home.
When flying directly from the US to Cuba, US citizens will need to do some extra paperwork. They will need to buy a travel card/tourist card from the airline and declare that they are visiting Cuba for valid reasons. US citizens are not allowed to travel to Cuba for 'tourism' but can declare that they are travelling to Cuba as 'Support for the Cuban People'. Alternatively, they can fly from Canada or Mexico to Cuba to avoid the extra paperwork.
To adhere to the requirements for independent travel under the "support for the Cuban people" category, travellers must first declare the category while booking flights and accommodation. As part of the license, travellers are expected to prepare an itinerary outlining how their trip will fulfil the category's terms and contribute to Cuba's local economy. This itinerary could be requested upon arrival in the country. An appropriate "support for the Cuban people" itinerary could include staying in casa particulares (locally-run guesthouses), visiting Cuban-owned businesses, going on tours run by Cubans, visiting independent museums and galleries, partaking in cultural dance and music classes, and eating at locally-owned restaurants and markets.
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US citizens must spend their money supporting private businesses in Cuba
US citizens are permitted to travel to Cuba, but tourism is not allowed. Instead, US citizens must declare that they are travelling to Cuba for one of 13 authorised reasons, including "Support for the Cuban People".
One way that US citizens can support the Cuban people is by spending their money in private businesses. In 2024, the US Treasury Department announced regulatory changes to allow more American financial support for Cuba's small businesses. This includes allowing small entrepreneurs to open and access US bank accounts from Cuba for the first time in decades.
Cuban entrepreneurs are now also allowed to use US-based social media platforms, online payment sites, video conferencing and authentication services. These services were previously unavailable to the sector and were a major hurdle for small businesses on the island.
US citizens can support these small businesses by using their services and spending money in them. This will help to give Cuba's small businesses a boost and support the expansion of free enterprise on the island.
US citizens travelling to Cuba should be aware that US debit cards do not work there, and only a handful of hotels in Havana accept US credit cards for in-house services. US dollars can be used to cover most cash needs, so it is not necessary to bring other currencies.
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US citizens must comply with US sanctions on Cuba
US sanctions on Cuba have been in place since 1962 when President John F. Kennedy proclaimed an embargo on trade between the two countries. The sanctions were a response to certain actions taken by the Cuban government, and the US Departments of Commerce and the Treasury were directed to implement them. The sanctions prohibit US citizens from engaging in transactions with Cuba and restrict travel to the island nation.
US citizens must comply with these sanctions, which means that travel to Cuba for tourism is not allowed. However, it is not illegal for US citizens to travel to Cuba, and there are 13 permitted reasons for travel, including official business, journalistic activities, professional research, educational activities, religious activities, and humanitarian projects. US citizens travelling to Cuba must declare that they are visiting for valid reasons and must comply with all relevant paperwork requirements.
To enter Cuba, US citizens need a visa, a travel card, or a Cuban passport. They must also have health insurance with coverage in the area. US debit cards do not work in Cuba, and only a few hotels in Havana accept US credit cards for in-house services. US dollars are widely accepted in Cuba, and there is no need to bring other foreign currencies.
US citizens should be aware that their activities in Cuba must comply with the sanctioned reasons for their visit. For example, lounging on Cuba's beaches or sipping mojitos all day is banned under the current sanctions. US citizens must also retain records of their expenses and activities in Cuba for five years.
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US citizens must have a valid passport and visa to enter Cuba
US citizens are required to have a valid passport and visa to enter Cuba. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the return date from Cuba. US citizens also need to obtain a Cuban visa, also known as a "tourist card", prior to their arrival in Cuba. The Cuban visa is valid for a single entry and allows the holder to stay in Cuba for 30 days. It is important to note that US citizens are not allowed to travel to Cuba for tourism purposes. However, there are 13 permitted reasons for travel, including official business, journalistic activities, educational activities, religious activities, and humanitarian projects.
If travelling directly from the US to Cuba, US citizens need to purchase a travel card or tourist card from the airline and declare a valid reason for their visit. This can be done by booking directly with the airline. Alternatively, US citizens can fly from Canada or Mexico to Cuba to avoid the extra paperwork. When flying from the US, it is important to note that US credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba, and there are currency restrictions for entry and exit. Therefore, it is recommended to bring US dollars or Euros to exchange for Cuban Pesos.
To obtain a Cuban visa, individuals can apply through the Cuban consulate in their country of residence or through an accredited provider. The process typically involves providing passport details, postal address, accommodation address in Cuba, and a copy of return flight tickets. It is recommended to have valid travel insurance and health insurance when travelling to Cuba, as authorities may ask for proof of insurance at the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Americans can travel to Cuba, but tourism is not permitted under current US government regulations.
Americans must comply with one of the 12 categories of authorised travel to Cuba, which include "family visits", "journalistic activity", "religious activities", and "support for the Cuban people".
Americans can book a flight as long as their itinerary complies with one of the 12 categories of authorized travel. They can fly directly from the US to Cuba, but this requires extra paperwork, including buying a travel card/tourist card from the airline and declaring a valid reason for visiting Cuba. Alternatively, they can fly via Canada or Mexico to avoid this paperwork.
